Washington Blog

What a historic ride it has been this legislative session: 176 days, three special sessions, the longest legislative session in Washington's history, and with an additional $1.3 billion added to education spending, the largest education spending increase in 30 years.

When it comes to making decisions about the future of our schools, we must elect local leaders who will keep children front and center in their policy priorities. That is why we get involved in elections by endorsing strong candidates for the Tacoma School Board.

We endorse education champions who share our desire for bold change, who will make education their top priority, who can work strategically and effectively, and who will work with the community over the long term to improve outcomes for students in Tacoma.

In mid-April, State Superintendent Randy Dorn, followed by Senate and House lawmakers, unveiled their own grand proposals to address the crux of the Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling: boosting funding for basic education in a reliable and sustainable way.

To do so, lawmakers must tackle the challenge of reducing school districts’ reliance on local levies, while shifting the cost burden to the State.

In early April, State House and Senate lawmakers passed their respective budget proposals for the 2015-17 biennium. We want to thank our state lawmakers for prioritizing education policies that favor student outcomes and an aligned funding system.

Let’s start with what looks promising in the budget proposals:

TOTAL NEW SPENDING ON MCCLEARY (ESHB 2261/ SHB 2776) FOR THE 2015-17 BIENNIUM

On Tuesday evening, March 10th the State Board of Education met at Pacific Lutheran University for a Community Forum for a night of conversation with local education champions and parents. Part of their outreach plan is to move the board meetings around to hear their concerns about education in Washington State.

Last year, the Washington State Senate brought a bill requiring test-based student growth in teacher evaluations to the Senate floor as the last bill to be voted on before the cut-off for bills from the house of origin—a spot reserved for top priority bills. Many of us were deeply disappointed to see it fail in that floor vote.